Hoboken celebrates veterans with state's oldest Memorial Day parade, after firefighters given medals

Hoboken honored its veterans and emergency service personnel yesterday evening with two ceremonies, including the city’s 114th Memorial Day Parade.

Before the parade kicked off from City Hall at 6:30 p.m., members of Hoboken’s emergency service personnel were honored in a ceremony at City Hall for their brave acts of service.

Fire Chief Richard Blohm presented 11 firefighters with medals of valor and presented a plaque to the president of the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

“There have been three large fires that we’ve had in the past six months. We recognize you’re out here protecting your community,” Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer told the awardees.

The acts of bravery were not confined to city limits.

Fire Capt. Joe Schisani was recognized for saving the life of a 63-year-old woman who was drowning in a Paramus pool last August.

Participants in the state’s oldest Memorial Day Parade marched up Washington Street from City Hall at First Street to Tenth Street, where a reviewing stand was set up in front of the Elks Lodge.

The mayor and council members marched, as well as Assemblyman Ruben Ramos and Freeholder Anthony Romano. The Police and Fire departments fielded large contingents and veterans had their own double-decker bus.

The Hoboken High School marching band performed, as well as a band from Hawthorne High School.

“This has been a great surprise,” said city resident Regan Michaels, one of the hundreds of onlookers. “It’s nice to be able to enjoy this during the week as opposed to the weekend, when everyone goes away.”

Her 5-year-old daughter, Gigi, loved the veterans.

“I liked when the veterans came by and threw all of us candy,” she said. “It was nice.”